Pots off the Reef Compromise Bill Introduced

[sternline]

This "compromise" bill is a total sell out. It's a ploy to keep the pots ON the reefs. Wake up, folks, and let your representatives in the NJ Assembly and Senate know that these commercial pots have to come off the reefs, that we are not stupid, and we vote.

[hammer4reel]

25% of the reef in reality would probably cover at least half the structure on those reefs, as they wont be setting traps in the sand. and would still block most of the reef.

they need to ALL come off, to give us access to what our funds built

[JBird]

How do they propose to accurately measure the 25% of the reef area to be open to pots and how will anyone know if the pots are out of that zone?
I say let the commercial guys fund their own reef.

[njdiver]

Here are the URLs for the bill and to listen to the Committee hearing:

http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2012/Bi...00/2645_I2.HTM

http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2012/Bi...00/2645_I2.PDF


Here is the URL to get the recording of the meeting:

http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/media/a...N&SESSION=2012

Click on “Listen” to the right of the date (March 8, 2012).

[Angler Paul]

NJOA - Fixed Gear Sectors Mapped for Proposed Reef Legislation (A2645)




March 10, 2012


Many NJOA members have requested to see the commercial trapping sectors that are included in legislation A2645 that was released by the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. To this end, we have mapped out the coordinates for your review at the link that follows.


Remember, Bill A2645 (Prohibits the use of certain fishing gear on artificial reef sites) has not been reviewed by the federal government as of yet, so we do not not have a ruling as to whether this bill would restore funding to the NJ Reef Program. It is possible that the Bill will be amended as the companion legislation is created in the senate. Given that things may change, we request that the maps be used for informational purposes only at this time.


In an effort to keep all stakeholders "in-the-know" there is also other legislation (A1343 and S1177) that would remove commercial gear entirely from the reefs.


We will continue to update you as things develop.


Thanks to Joe Puntasecca, President, JCAA, for mapping the proposed coordinates. NOTE: Click on map at the webpage that follows to view it in its entirety as a pdf file. Here's the link:


http://www.njoutdooralliance.org/traps/reef/sites.html.



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Anthony P. Mauro, Sr

Chair
New Jersey Outdoor Alliance
New Jersey Outdoor Alliance Conservation Foundation
New Jersey Outdoor Alliance Environmental Projects



"Preservation through conservation"




JOIN NJOA: http://www.njoutdooralliance.org/support/njoa.html







Officers: Ed Markowski, Captain Pete Grimbilas, Jerry Natale, Len Wolgast, PhD., Anthony Mauro